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"A Family Tradition for 125 Years" After two years of debate BIA min/max tax approved by Marnie Luke Port Perry Star After nearly two-and-a-half years of debate, the Port Perry Business Improvement Area's 'minimum-maximum' tax levy has been approved. The ruling came on Thurs- day, following a hearing before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Presently, some of the 86 BIA members pay as little as $24 a year to the BIA, while others pay more than $5,000. ) But with the min/max tax system, businesses will pay no less than one half of one per cent, and no more than 10 per cent of the total BIA budget. The money from this tax goes towards the maintainence, im- provement, beautification, and. promotion of the downtown area. The approval comes as good news for larger businesses, such as the IGA, whose taxes will be reduced by nearly $1,000. But for some 30 smaller busi- nesses, the new levy will mean paying up to an extra $200 per year to the BIA. OMB chairman Ted Yao took no time to reach his decision, approving the min/max tax pro- posal without hesitation. "There's no question that this is a tough pill for small busi- nesses to swallow," Mr. Yao said. Robert Prentice, who has owned Bob's Barber Shop for 22 years, was one of the few down- town merchants opposed to the new tax system. "lI have no personal axe to grind with the IGA, CIBC, or anyone else, but I'm not in busi- ness to subsidize them, either," Mr. Prentice said. Tom Mitchell, who was chair- man of the BIA when the min/ max tax was first proposed, said that paying only $24 is little in- centive for businesses to get in- volved in the BIA. "To make the BIA sucessful, we want full participation of all members. And we felt that half of one per cent wasn't such an onerous amount that a small business couldn't handle it," Mr. Mitchell said. The new method of tax as- sessment was first proposed in February, 1990, and was met with some objection. A petition from 37 business people opposed to the new levy was presented to Scugog Coun- cil, who later decided there was too much controversy sur- rounding the issue to endorse the proposal. Council decided to hold a public meeting to determine how the community supported such an ammendment. Some of those business peo- ple opposed to the levy with- drew their names from the peti- tion upon learning more about the new tax system. Of the others who signed the petition, few showed up for the meeting, and the proposal was voted on with 36 supporting and only 12 opposed. But it was not until just last week that the BIA could sched- ule a hearing with the Ontario Municipal Board. The new tax levy will not be implemented until January 1, 1993. hrs week only . PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, May 12, 1992 - 3 the Heart and Stroke Foundation. - ---------- _ I eT a ai r-- a. A BAT png mim . Brady Gray and Ryan Hamelinck, both Grade 1 students at S.A. Cawker Public School, show the fine art of double skip- ping. The school took Friday afternoon off to hold "Jump Rope For Heart." The students took pledges and the proceeds go to o Seed Potatoes * Onion Sets STOCK UR ON CUNMENTIONABLES" SOCAS for boy's and girl's » Garden Seeds * Spring Fertilizers * Peat Moss 40 Vanedward Drive 985-7363 10TH WEEKEND EVN AND CWA y I Saturday, May 16, Sunday, May 17 by Stanfield, Arrow, Ego and Monday, May 18 all styles - bikini, | TULIP FESTIVAL hipster, brief, boxer 50 poly / 50 cotton or all cotton. FOUNDATIO CARMENTS girdles, 1 pc. control, garter belts PANT HOSE reg. price by Playtex, Daisy Fresh, Cacharelle, Touch of Lace, Grenier all styles LADIES ANDERW EAR by Hanna, Stanfield, Playtex, Daisy Fresh, Hidden Comfort, Watson's, Cindy Ann, Say Raly bikini, hipster, french cut, full brief, pant leg cotton or antron - small to extra extra large MEN'S SOCHS He a -------- vy A A -- - Family Rates Coute Ry 27224 the BN a a -- | ov McGregor by Ergee - fashion Open Daily day & cueing. Vogdon, oe req. 5.95/pair - Special $4.15/pr or 3 for $11.90 Sam to 10pm You won't be | Kodiak reg. 3.95/pair - Special $2.75/pair or 3 for $7.90 (ll LI daappacated! | all styles 1 i i ROC i : Queen St. ARDS 300 Taunton Port Perry Rd.W., Whitby pr ¢ PAINATURE MLAGE EE 668-6606 : al ven TO ------ Pe i - --g---- a a a aad. 4